US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that he “did not personally observe survivors” prior to the authorization of a second attack on a purported Venezuelan drug boat. This declaration arises as the Trump administration encounters criticism from lawmakers regarding the employment of military force.
An initial assault reportedly resulted in two survivors clinging to the burning vessel; however, a subsequent strike was allegedly commanded, resulting in their deaths. The strike on September 2 has prompted concerns that US forces may have violated the laws of armed conflict.
Hegseth attributed the strike to the “fog of war” in a tumultuous situation while addressing a Cabinet meeting. Concurrently, the White House has reaffirmed that the second strike was sanctioned by top US Navy Admiral Frank Bradley.
What did Hegseth convey?
In response to an inquiry from a journalist during the Cabinet meeting, Hegseth remarked that while he witnessed the first strike “live,” the second attack transpired in his absence as he had “quickly transitioned to another meeting.”
“I did not personally observe survivors. That vessel was ablaze and it exploded… visibility was nonexistent. This phenomenon is referred to as the fog of war,” the Secretary articulated.
As the Trump administration attributes the incident to Bradley, Hegseth mentioned that he became aware of the admiral’s “correct decision” to strike the boat a second time “a couple of hours later.”
President Trump also supported Admiral Bradley, yet he distanced himself from the decision to execute the second strike, stating, “we were not informed about” the follow-up attack.
“And I can assert this: I desire those boats to be eliminated,” Trump added.
‘We’ve only just begun’
The United States has “only just commenced” targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels, Hegseth asserted on Tuesday, despite an escalating outcry regarding strikes that critics claim constitute extrajudicial killings.
“We’ve only just begun to strike narco boats and consign narco-terrorists to the depths of the ocean, as they have been poisoning the American populace,” Hegseth stated during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
